You’ve Decided to Get a Second Opinion, Now What?

Second opinions make all kinds of sense. Here’s a doctor’s advice on what to do with them.

Photo by Jan Genge on Unsplash

Doctors are not superhuman. They can only rely on the information they have learned and experienced to make the most educated decision. What’s more, doctors have different practice styles . While one doctor recommends more conservative treatments, another physician might be more aggressive and would advise surgery when there are less invasive alternatives. This is why medical second opinions have become essential in health care, where misdiagnosis and improper treatment can, unfortunately, occur.

A 2014 study from the Mayo Clinic suggests that one in six patients seek a second opinion and in cancer survivors, research has shown that more than half had obtained a second set of eyes. In fact, many insurance plans require second opinions for specific conditions, appreciating that early accurate diagnosis is a catalyst for a decrease in cost of care.

Researchers also found that 66% of patients seeking a second opinion are left with a refined diagnosis and 22% receive a distinctly different or completely new diagnosis. Let’s pause to think about that: One-fifth of the original diagnoses were considered to be wrong — misdiagnosed. That’s quite scary.

When do you need a second opinion?

Small issues in “everyday health care” like colds, cuts, and sprains are unlikely to require another set of eyes because diagnosis and treatment are usually agreed upon by most physicians. It’s the more complex diagnoses such as cancer, risky treatments, surgeries, rare diseases, or persistent chronic symptoms that should trigger further exploration.

Doubt about your diagnosis or treatment plan ( that gut feeling that something’s not right — say, a visit with an overconfident physician who is unwilling to discuss other options ) should also be grounds for fresh eyes.

A study in the American Journal of Medicine found that “the clinical impact [from second opinions] was estimated as moderate/major in 20.9% of cases for diagnosis and 30.7% of cases for treatment.” So in other words, second opinions can improve your health outcomes by changing…